Large blaze in Havant woodlands sparks warning from fire service

A WARNING has gone out after more than a dozen firefighters were called to tackle a blaze in a stretch of woodland near Havant this afternoon.

The blaze erupted in Havant Thicket, close to Castle Lane, shortly after 2.20pm today.

Flames wrecked damaged a large area of the woodland, which is a popular spot for walkers.

Initially, a small fire vehicle had been called to tackle the blaze.

However, on arrival, it was clear to the crew that more support was needed.

Three appliances, from Havant, Cosham and Emsworth, were scrambled as well as a specialised Land Rover from Petersfield.

Some 16 firefighters spent more than two hours getting the flames under control.

Havant’s watch manager Simon Morford said: ‘There was a lot of fire. We think it had been burning for sometime. But we don’t know how it started.’

A warning has now gone out to all those walking in the woodland to be careful when they dispose of rubbish.

Cosham’s crew manager Wayne Doble said: ‘People need to be more vigilant.

‘If they’re smoking cigarettes, they need to make sure that they’re extinguished properly and then disposed of in the correct way, not left on the floor.’